US11172523B2 - Communication apparatus for executing service, control method and storage medium therefor, and communication system - Google Patents

Communication apparatus for executing service, control method and storage medium therefor, and communication system Download PDF

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Publication number: US11172523B2
Authority: US; United States
Prior art keywords: communication; role; control unit; service; ptr
Prior art date: 2016-08-10
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.): Active, expires 2038-01-04

Application number

US16/264,931

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English (en)

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US20190166639A1 (en

Inventor

Shuya Kaechi

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Canon Inc

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Canon Inc

Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)

2016-08-10

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2019-02-01

Publication date

2021-11-09

2019-02-01 Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc

2019-05-30 Publication of US20190166639A1 publication Critical patent/US20190166639A1/en

2019-07-04 Assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KAECHI, SHUYA

2021-11-09 Application granted granted Critical

2021-11-09 Publication of US11172523B2 publication Critical patent/US11172523B2/en

Status Active legal-status Critical Current

2038-01-04 Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W76/00—Connection management
- H04W76/20—Manipulation of established connections
- H04L29/06—
- H04L29/08—
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
- H04L65/40—Support for services or applications
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L9/00—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
- H04L9/40—Network security protocols
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/80—Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W76/00—Connection management
- H04W76/10—Connection setup
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W76/00—Connection management
- H04W76/10—Connection setup
- H04W76/14—Direct-mode setup
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W84/00—Network topologies
- H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
- H04W84/20—Leader-follower arrangements

Definitions

the present invention relates to a communication apparatus for executing a service, a control method and a storage medium therefor, and a communication system.
Bluetooth Low Energy is a registered trademark; this will also be called “BLE” hereinafter
BLE Bluetooth Low Energy
an apparatus playing the role (part) of a peripheral transmits an advertising packet (i.e., information indicating the presence of the self apparatus).
an apparatus playing the role of a central makes a request for a connection to the peripheral role apparatus.
a connection is then established between the apparatuses, and data exchange is carried out.
a peripheral role apparatus can only connect to a single central role apparatus, and peripheral role apparatuses cannot connect to each other.
these apparatuses can use BLE to connect to another apparatus, which plays the role of a central, and can communicate only to the central role apparatus with which the connection is established.
the image capturing apparatuses and the printing apparatuses both play the role of peripheral, and therefore cannot connect to each other.
a printing service of a printing apparatus cannot be used directly from an image capturing apparatus, for example. In such a case, it is necessary for a user to, for example, cut the connections, change the role settings again, and establish a new connection in order to connect an image capturing apparatus with the printing apparatus.
Patent Document 1 proposes a technique in a wireless communication system constituted by apparatuses in which one operates as a master and another operates as a slave, where the roles of master and slave are changed in accordance with a required communication quality necessary for the apparatuses to communicate with each other.
Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-107335
Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration a technique for making an optimal role assignment with a new apparatus when such a new apparatus attempts to establish a connection during communication.
what is needed, in communication that establishes connections among apparatuses having different roles is a technique through which an apparatus operating with a predetermined role in order to connect to other apparatuses can easily connect to an apparatus operating with the same role.
An object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus that can, in communication in which apparatuses having different roles are connected, easily connect to an apparatus operating with the same role as the self apparatus, and to provide a control method and program therefor, as well as a communication system.
a communication apparatus has, for example, the following configuration. That is, a communication apparatus that executes a predetermined service by communicating with an external apparatus, the communication apparatus comprises: a communication unit configured to establish a connection with the external apparatus and communicating data with the external apparatus in order to execute the predetermined service; and a control unit configured to control the communication unit so that the communication apparatus operates as a first role in the case of connecting to a first external apparatus operating as a second role, and so that the communication apparatus operates as the second role in the case of connecting to a second external apparatus operating as the first role, wherein the control unit controls the communication unit so that the communication apparatus operates as the second role to connect to the second external apparatus operating as the first role in between times when the communication apparatus carries out a process for operating as the first role and periodically transmitting a predetermined signal.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an image capturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a communication apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are flowcharts illustrating a sequence of operations in a connection changing process of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are flowcharts illustrating a sequence of operations in a connection changing process of the image capturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are flowcharts illustrating a sequence of operations in a connection changing process of the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 7A-1, 7A-2, 7B-1, 7B-2, and 7B-3 are sequence charts (a first half) illustrating a sequence through which a wireless communication connection is made between the printing apparatus and the image capturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are sequence charts (a second half) illustrating a sequence through which a wireless communication connection is made between the printing apparatus and the image capturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are examples of data in an advertising packet according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are examples of data in a broadcast packet according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are examples of a database in a GATT server storing services and characteristics, according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are diagrams illustrating an example of the arrangement of the printing apparatus, the image capturing apparatus, and the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 13A-1, 13A-2, 13A-3, 13B-1, 13B-2, and 13B-3 are sequence charts illustrating a sequence through which a wireless communication connection is made between a printing apparatus and an image capturing apparatus according to a second embodiment.
FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C are flowcharts illustrating a sequence of operations in a connection changing process of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment.
FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are flowcharts illustrating a sequence of operations in a connection changing process of an image capturing apparatus according to the third embodiment.
FIGS. 16A and 16B are examples of a database in a GATT server storing services and characteristics, according to the third embodiment.
FIGS. 17A-1, 17A-2, 17A-3, 17B-1, 17B-2, and 17B-3 are sequence charts (a first half) illustrating a sequence through which a wireless communication connection is made between the printing apparatus and the image capturing apparatus according to the third embodiment.
FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C are sequence charts (a second half) illustrating a sequence through which a wireless communication connection is made between the printing apparatus and the image capturing apparatus according to the third embodiment.
FIGS. 19A-1, 19A-2, 19B-1, 19B-2, and 19B-3 are sequence charts illustrating a sequence through which a wireless communication connection is made between a printing apparatus and an image capturing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.
a communication apparatus 801 which plays the role of a central, is connected to a printing apparatus 601 and an image capturing apparatus 701 , which play the role of peripherals, over BLE, and a connection is then established between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
a communication system using the printing apparatus 601 , the image capturing apparatus 701 , and the communication apparatus 801 which are examples of communication apparatuses having wireless communication functions
these apparatuses may be any other apparatuses as long as those apparatuses have wireless communication functions.
a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a game console, an eyeglass- or timepiece-type wearable terminal, a head-mounted display, a vehicle-mounted device, a medical device, and the like may be used.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 601 according to the present embodiment. Note that power source connections to blocks not needed to describe the present embodiment are omitted from the following block diagrams, and the descriptions of blocks and operations not needed to describe the present embodiment will not be given. Additionally, the characters “PTR” may be added to blocks and the like to distinguish the printing apparatus 601 from the other apparatuses.
the printing apparatus 601 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an apparatus capable of printing onto a printing medium.
a PTR control unit B 605 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the printing apparatus 601 as a whole by loading programs stored in PTR ROM 607 into PTR RAM 606 and executing those programs.
the PTR control unit B 605 operates as the main system of the printing apparatus 601 .
the PTR control unit B 605 can display digital image data and the like in a PTR display unit 608 , and can carry out image processing that converts the digital image data and the like into data that can be printed onto the printing medium.
the PTR RAM 606 is RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area for the PTR control unit B 605 , and is constituted by, for example, volatile memory such as dynamic RAM.
the PTR ROM 607 is ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs executed by the PTR control unit B 605 , and is constituted by, for example, rewritable non-volatile memory such as flash memory.
a PTR control unit A 655 is a control unit that controls some of the functions of the printing apparatus 601 , and includes RAM used as a work area and ROM storing programs.
the PTR control unit A 655 is a sub system of the printing apparatus 601 .
the PTR control unit A 655 can operate even when the PTR control unit B 605 is off (i.e., on standby power), and consumes less power than the PTR control unit B 605 .
the PTR control unit A 655 can be used to enable wireless communication connections with other apparatuses (external apparatuses) during a standby state where a printing service is not being provided.
the PTR control unit A 655 and the PTR control unit B 605 can operate using separate power source circuits. For example, the PTR control unit A 655 turns the power source circuit of the PTR control unit B 605 on, and transitions the PTR control unit B 605 , which was off, into an on state.
a PTR AC/DC conversion circuit 602 converts an AC voltage input from the exterior of the printing apparatus 601 into a DC voltage.
the post-conversion DC voltage is furthermore converted into a voltage that can be supplied to circuit blocks in later stages by a PTR constant voltage circuit A 603 and a PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 .
the PTR constant voltage circuit A 603 includes a constant voltage circuit, and supplies operating power to the PTR control unit A 655 and a PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , which will be described later.
the PTR constant voltage circuit A 603 is a circuit that can output a voltage while the PTR control unit B 605 is off, and thus enables the PTR control unit A 655 to operate even when the PTR control unit B 605 is off.
the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 includes a constant voltage circuit, and supplies operating power to circuit blocks aside from the circuit blocks, such as the PTR control unit B 605 , which are supplied with operating power by the PTR constant voltage circuit A 603 .
the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 is a circuit that can output a voltage in response to signal control from the PTR constant voltage circuit A 603 and others. Note that the PTR constant voltage circuit A 603 may be constituted by a circuit that can supply less current, and that itself consumes less current, than the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 is a communication unit that can carry out short-range wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the short-range wireless communication carried out by the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 is compliant with, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy, which is a short-range wireless standard (“Bluetooth” is a registered trademark; this will also be called “BLE” hereinafter).
a PTR communication antenna A 613 is an antenna that can carry out short-range wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the PTR communication antenna A 613 has a resonance frequency near the 2.4 GHz band, which is a UHF band, for example.
a PTR wireless communication unit B 622 is a communication unit that can carry out wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the wireless communication carried out by the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 is compliant with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 specification, which is a WLAN standard.
a PTR communication antenna B 623 is an antenna that can carry out wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the PTR communication antenna B 623 has a resonance frequency near the 2.4 GHz band, which is a UHF band, for example.
the PTR display unit 608 is a display unit that can display operation information of the printing apparatus 601 , images to be printed, and the like, and is constituted by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
a PTR memory card slot 609 enables, for example, a flash memory card in which digital data of images is recorded to be inserted.
the PTR control unit B 605 can write and read the digital data of images recorded in the flash memory card inserted into the PTR memory card slot 609 .
a PTR printing unit 610 is a printing unit that provides the printing service of the printing apparatus 601 .
the PTR printing unit 610 is constituted by, for example, a motor, a paper transport mechanism, and a print head, and can print data, which has been subjected to image processing in the PTR control unit B 605 , onto the printing medium.
a PTR operation input unit 611 is an operation input unit constituted by operation keys, buttons, and the like, and in addition to communicating operation information from a user to the PTR control unit B 605 , can turn the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 on, and thus can turn the PTR control unit B 605 on, in response to a user operation.
the image capturing apparatus 701 illustrated in FIG. 2 is an apparatus that can capture images (including video).
a DSC control unit B 705 includes a CPU, and controls the image capturing apparatus 701 as a whole by loading programs stored in DSC ROM 707 into DSC RAM 706 and executing those programs.
the DSC control unit B 705 operates as the main system of the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the DSC control unit B 705 can display digital image data and the like in a DSC display unit 708 , and can carry out image processing that converts the digital image data and the like into data that can be recorded into a recording medium.
the DSC RAM 706 is RAM used as a work area for the DSC control unit B 705 , and is constituted by, for example, volatile memory such as dynamic RAM.
the DSC ROM 707 is ROM that stores programs of the DSC control unit B 705 , and is constituted by, for example, rewritable non-volatile memory such as flash memory.
a DSC control unit A 755 is a control unit that controls some of the functions of the image capturing apparatus 701 , and includes RAM used as a work area and ROM storing programs.
the DSC control unit A 755 is a sub system of the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the DSC control unit A 755 can operate even when the DSC control unit B 705 is off (i.e., on standby power), and consumes less power than the DSC control unit B 705 .
the DSC control unit A 755 can be used to enable wireless communication connections with other apparatuses during a standby state where image capturing, an image transfer service, and the like are not being provided.
the DSC control unit A 755 and the DSC control unit B 705 can operate using separate power source circuits.
the power source circuit of the DSC control unit B 705 is turned on by the DSC control unit A 755 , which causes the DSC control unit B 705 , which was off, to transition to an on state.
a DSC battery 702 is a battery that can supply power to the various units in the image capturing apparatus 701 , and is constituted by a lithium-ion battery, for example.
the output of the DSC battery 702 is furthermore converted into a voltage that can be supplied to circuit blocks in later stages by a DSC constant voltage circuit A 703 and a DSC constant voltage circuit B 704 .
the DSC constant voltage circuit A 703 includes a constant voltage circuit, and supplies operating power to the DSC control unit A 755 and a DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , which will be described later.
the DSC constant voltage circuit A 703 is a circuit that can output a voltage while the DSC control unit B 705 is off, and thus enables the DSC control unit A 755 to operate even when the DSC control unit B 705 is off.
the DSC constant voltage circuit B 704 includes a constant voltage circuit, and supplies operating power to circuit blocks aside from the circuit blocks, such as the DSC control unit B 705 , which are supplied with operating power by the DSC constant voltage circuit A 703 .
the DSC constant voltage circuit B 704 is a circuit that can output a voltage in response to signal control from the DSC constant voltage circuit A 703 and others. Note that the DSC constant voltage circuit A 703 may be constituted by a circuit that can supply less current, and that itself consumes less current, than the DSC constant voltage circuit B 704 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 is a communication unit that can carry out short-range wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the short-range wireless communication carried out by the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 is compliant with, for example, BLE, which is a short-range wireless standard.
a DSC communication antenna A 713 is an antenna that can carry out short-range wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the DSC communication antenna A 713 has a resonance frequency near the 2.4 GHz band, which is a UHF band, for example.
a DSC wireless communication unit B 722 is a communication unit that can carry out wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the wireless communication carried out by the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 is compliant with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 specification, which is a WLAN standard.
a DSC communication antenna B 723 is an antenna that can carry out wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the DSC communication antenna B 723 has a resonance frequency near the 2.4 GHz band, which is a UHF band, for example.
the DSC display unit 708 is a display unit that can display operation information of the image capturing apparatus 701 , images to be printed, and the like, and is constituted by, for example, an LCD.
a DSC memory card slot 709 enables, for example, a flash memory card in which digital data of images is recorded to be inserted.
the DSC control unit B 705 can write and read captured digital image data and the like in the flash memory card inserted into the DSC memory card slot 709 .
a DSC image capturing unit 710 is an image capturing unit that provides an image capturing service of the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the DSC image capturing unit 710 includes, for example, an optical unit constituted by a lens and a driving system thereof, and an image sensor. Digital image data or video data captured by the image sensor is subjected to image processing by the DSC control unit B 705 , and is recorded into the recording medium as necessary.
a DSC operation input unit 711 is an operation input unit constituted by operation keys, buttons, and the like, and in addition to communicating operation information from a user to the DSC control unit B 705 , can turn the DSC constant voltage circuit B 704 on, and thus can turn the DSC control unit B 705 on, in response to a user operation.
the communication apparatus 801 is an apparatus capable of capturing images (including video) and wireless communication over a public wireless line.
the characters “OTH” may be added to blocks and the like to distinguish the communication apparatus 801 from the other apparatuses.
An OTH control unit B 805 includes a CPU, and controls the communication apparatus 801 as a whole by loading programs stored in OTH ROM 807 into OTH RAM 806 and executing those programs.
the OTH control unit B 805 operates as the main system of the communication apparatus 801 .
the OTH control unit B 805 can display digital image data and the like in an OTH display unit 808 , and can carry out image processing that converts the digital data and the like into data that can be recorded into a recording medium.
the OTH RAM 806 is RAM used as a work area for the OTH control unit B 805 , and is constituted by, for example, volatile memory such as dynamic RAM.
the OTH ROM 807 is ROM that stores programs of the OTH control unit B 805 , and is constituted by, for example, rewritable non-volatile memory such as flash memory.
An OTH control unit A 855 is a control unit that controls some of the functions of the communication apparatus 801 , and includes RAM used as a work area and ROM storing programs.
the OTH control unit A 855 is a sub system of the communication apparatus 801 .
the OTH control unit A 855 can operate even when the OTH control unit B 805 is off (i.e., on standby power), and consumes less power than the OTH control unit B 805 .
the OTH control unit A 855 can be used to enable wireless communication connections with other apparatuses during a standby state where image capturing, an image transfer service, and the like are not being provided.
the OTH control unit A 855 and the OTH control unit B 805 can operate using separate power source circuits.
the power source circuit of the OTH control unit B 805 is turned on by the OTH control unit A 855 , which causes the OTH control unit B 805 , which was off, to transition to an on state.
An OTH battery 802 is a battery that can supply power to the communication apparatus 801 , and is constituted by a lithium-ion battery, for example.
the output of the OTH battery 802 is furthermore converted into a voltage that can be supplied to circuit blocks in later stages by an OTH constant voltage circuit A 803 and an OTH constant voltage circuit B 804 .
the OTH constant voltage circuit A 803 includes a constant voltage circuit, and supplies operating power to the OTH control unit A 855 and an OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , which will be described later.
the OTH constant voltage circuit A 803 is a circuit that can output a voltage while the OTH control unit B 805 is off, and thus enables the OTH control unit A 855 to operate even when the OTH control unit B 805 is off.
the OTH constant voltage circuit B 804 includes a constant voltage circuit, and supplies operating power to circuit blocks aside from the circuit blocks, such as the OTH control unit B 805 , which are supplied with operating power by the OTH constant voltage circuit A 803 .
the OTH constant voltage circuit B 804 is a circuit that can output a voltage in response to signal control from the OTH constant voltage circuit A 803 and others. Note that the OTH constant voltage circuit A 803 may be constituted by a circuit that can supply less current, and that itself consumes less current, than the OTH constant voltage circuit B 804 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 is a communication unit that can carry out short-range wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the short-range wireless communication carried out by the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 is compliant with, for example, BLE, which is a short-range wireless standard.
An OTH communication antenna A 813 is an antenna that can carry out short-range wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the OTH communication antenna A 813 has a resonance frequency near the 2.4 GHz band, which is a UHF band, for example.
An OTH wireless communication unit B 822 is a communication unit that can carry out wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the wireless communication carried out by the OTH wireless communication unit B 822 is compliant with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 specification, which is a WLAN standard.
An OTH communication antenna B 823 is an antenna that can carry out wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the OTH communication antenna B 823 has a resonance frequency near the 2.4 GHz band, which is a UHF band, for example.
An OTH wireless communication unit C 832 is a communication unit that can carry out wireless communication with other apparatuses over a public wireless line via a base station.
the wireless communication carried out by the OTH wireless communication unit C 832 is compliant with a mobile communication system such as 3G or 4G, defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for example.
An OTH communication antenna C 833 is an antenna that can carry out wireless communication with other apparatuses.
the OTH communication antenna C 833 has resonance frequencies near the 400-900 MHz, 2 GHz, and 3 GHz bands, which are UHF and SHF band, for example.
the OTH display unit 808 is a display unit that can display operation information of the communication apparatus 801 , images to be printed, and the like, and is constituted by, for example, an LCD.
An OTH memory card slot 809 enables, for example, a flash memory card in which digital data of images is recorded to be inserted.
the OTH control unit B 805 can write and read captured digital image data and the like in the flash memory card inserted into the OTH memory card slot 809 .
An OTH image capturing unit 810 is an image capturing unit that provides an image capturing service of the communication apparatus 801 .
the OTH image capturing unit 810 includes, for example, an optical unit constituted by a lens and a driving system thereof, and an image sensor. Digital image data or video data captured by the image sensor is subjected to image processing by the OTH control unit B 805 , and is recorded into the recording medium as necessary.
An OTH operation input unit 811 is an operation input unit constituted by operation keys, buttons, and the like, and in addition to communicating operation information from a user to the OTH control unit B 805 , can turn the OTH constant voltage circuit B 804 on, and thus can turn the OTH control unit B 805 on, in response to a user operation.
FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate a series of operations involved in a process for changing a wireless connection (a connection changing process) carried out by the printing apparatus 601 according to the present embodiment.
the individual processes in this process are realized by the PTR control unit A 655 of the printing apparatus 601 loading programs stored in its internal ROM into its internal RAM and executing the programs.
the operations in this process are started upon an AC voltage being input to the PTR AC/DC conversion circuit 602 of the printing apparatus 601 from the exterior.
the communication apparatus 801 operates as a central role apparatus (a first central apparatus), and the image capturing apparatus 701 operates as a peripheral role apparatus (a second peripheral apparatus).
the printing apparatus 601 changes its part (role) from a peripheral role to a central role, and operates as a first peripheral apparatus and a second central apparatus in those respective situations.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether some of the functions of the printing apparatus 601 are normal. If the PTR control unit A 655 determines that some of the functions are not normal, the process moves to S 102 . In S 102 , the transmission of the advertising packets from the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 is stopped, and the flowchart ends. On the other hand, if the PTR control unit A 655 determines that some of the functions are normal, the process moves to S 103 .
the PTR control unit A 655 sets the role of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 to the peripheral role.
the printing apparatus 601 operates as a peripheral role apparatus as a result of the PTR control unit A 655 setting the role of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 to the peripheral role.
the PTR control unit A 655 causes a first advertising packet (information indicating the presence of the self apparatus) to be transmitted from the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 to an external apparatus. An example of the data in the transmitted advertising packet will be described later.
the transmission of the first advertising packet in S 104 is carried out until the PTR control unit A 655 receives a connection request from the central role apparatus in a time period (an advertising interval) pre-set in the printing apparatus 601 .
the first advertising packet transmitted in S 104 includes a UUID 1, which specifies a service that can be executed by the printing apparatus 601 , in the data of the advertising packet.
UUID is an acronym for “Universally Unique IDentifier”.
the service specified by the UUID can be set to a variety of services, which will be described separately later.
the example of the advertising packet illustrated in FIG. 9A indicates that a Service 1 can be executed using the UUID 1.
Service 1 is a printing service that prints onto the printing medium using the PTR printing unit 610 of the printing apparatus 601 , for example.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether there is a connection request from the first central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 106 if, on the basis of a notification from the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , there is a connection request from the first central apparatus, and to S 131 if there is no connection request.
the PTR control unit A 655 establishes a BLE communication link with the first central apparatus, and in S 107 , carries out BLE communication with the first central apparatus. Note that the BLE communication in S 107 is carried out intermittently at predetermined time periods (communication intervals) set with the first central apparatus.
FIG. 11A illustrates an example of a database in a GATT server storing Services and Characteristics of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 of the printing apparatus 601 .
the BLE communication between the printing apparatus 601 and the first central apparatus is executed by reads and writes made to the database in the GATT server, illustrated in FIG. 11A .
FIG. 11A illustrates an example of the database in a GATT server for a case where the printing apparatus 601 includes the UUID 1 specifying the printing service in the advertising packet.
the printing apparatus 601 includes the UUID 1 specifying the printing service in the advertising packet.
one type of Service is stored, such as “Service 1: UUIDs of multiple Characteristics corresponding to UUID 1, and VALUEs corresponding to the UUIDs”.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether there is a connection termination notification from the first central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 109 if there is a connection termination notification from the first central apparatus, and to S 111 if there is no connection termination notification from the first central apparatus.
the PTR control unit A 655 terminates (disconnects) the BLE communication link with the first central apparatus. PTR control unit A 655 then moves to S 110 .
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of the printing service is “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 . If the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag for the first central apparatus, is “communication unable”, the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 131 . On the other hand, if the “central connection flag” is not “communication unable”, the PTR control unit A 655 returns to S 101 .
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether there is a service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the service in S 111 is the printing service, in which the PTR printing unit 610 of the printing apparatus 601 is used to print onto the printing medium, for example. If there is no service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 131 . On the other hand, if there is a service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 113 .
the PTR control unit A 655 turns the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 on, and turns the PTR control unit B 605 serving as the main system on, in order to execute the printing service.
the process for turning the main system power on in S 113 is deactivated, and the process moves to the next step.
the present embodiment describes an example in which the PTR control unit A 655 has the main system power continuously off if there is an AC voltage input to the PTR AC/DC conversion circuit 602 from the exterior.
the process of S 113 is executed assuming that the main system power is turned on only when the printing service is to be executed. Note that if the apparatus configuration is such that the main system power is continuously on when there is an AC voltage input to the PTR AC/DC conversion circuit 602 from the exterior, the process of S 113 may be deactivated and the process may move to the next step.
the PTR control unit B 605 terminates the BLE communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, and moves to S 115 .
the process of terminating the BLE communication link with the apparatus in S 114 is assumed to be carried out when WLAN and BLE are not permitted to operate simultaneously in the printing apparatus 601 . Accordingly, the process of S 114 need not be executed if WLAN and BLE are permitted to operate simultaneously in the printing apparatus 601 .
the present embodiment describes an example in which the printing apparatus 601 is a system in which WLAN and BLE are permitted to operate simultaneously. Accordingly, the PTR control unit B 605 skips the process of S 114 .
the PTR control unit B 605 carries out a WLAN handover with the apparatus to which the service is being provided. Specifically, the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 is used to establish a WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, using an SSID, connection password information, or the like shared over the BLE communication with the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR control unit B 605 receives the data from the apparatus to which the service is being provided through the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 , and in S 117 , the printing apparatus 601 executes the printing service.
the PTR control unit B 605 terminates the WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, established in S 115 . Furthermore, in S 119 , the PTR control unit B 605 restores the BLE communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, which was terminated in S 114 , and in S 120 carries out BLE communication with the apparatus to which the service is being provided. As described above, if the system permits the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE, the PTR control unit B 605 can skip the process of S 119 .
the PTR control unit B 605 determines whether the printing service has ended. If it is determined that the printing service has not ended, the PTR control unit B 605 returns to S 120 and continues the BLE communication with the apparatus to which the service is being provided. Note that there are two types of services executed using a BLE communication link with the printing apparatus 601 , namely a printing service which is carried out with the communication apparatus 801 serving as the first central apparatus, and a printing service carried out, via a print request service, with the image capturing apparatus 701 serving as the second peripheral apparatus. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing service has ended, the PTR control unit B 605 moves to S 122 . In S 122 , the PTR control unit A 655 turns the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 off, and turns the PTR control unit B 605 , which is the main system, off as well.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether the role of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 is set to the peripheral role. If it is determined that the role of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 is set to the peripheral role, the PTR control unit A 655 returns to S 107 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 is not set to the peripheral role, the process moves to S 144 .
S 131 corresponds to a case where there is no connection request from the first central apparatus in S 105 , a case where there is no service execution instruction from that apparatus in S 111 , or a case where the connection flag of the first central apparatus indicates “connection unable” in S 110 .
this is a state where the printing apparatus 601 is not connected to the communication apparatus 801 serving as the first central apparatus, a state where the printing service is not being executed, i.e., a state between instances of providing the printing service, where the resources for providing the service are available.
the printing apparatus 601 behaves as a central role apparatus to other peripheral role apparatuses (e.g., the image capturing apparatus 701 ).
the PTR control unit A 655 scans the advertising packets from the other peripheral role apparatuses.
the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 133 if in S 132 there are no advertising packets from other peripheral role apparatuses, and moves to S 135 if there is an advertising packet from another peripheral role apparatus. In S 133 , it is determined whether it is the advertising interval of the first central apparatus. The PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 134 if it is not the advertising interval of the first central apparatus, and returns to S 104 if it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus. In S 134 , it is determined whether it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus. If it is not an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus, the PTR control unit A 655 returns to S 131 . On the other hand, if it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus, the PTR control unit A 655 returns to S 107 .
the printing apparatus 601 determines whether the UUID specifying a service, included in the advertising packet transmitted from a peripheral apparatus (e.g., the image capturing apparatus 701 ), is valid in combination with the self apparatus.
An advertising packet determined by the PTR control unit A 655 to be valid refers to a third advertising packet including a UUID that specifies a service that can be executed by the printing apparatus 601 and that requests that service to be executed, as indicated in FIG. 9C .
Various services can be considered as the Service specified by the UUID.
the example of the advertising packet illustrated in FIG. 9C indicates that a Service 3 can be executed using a UUID 3.
Service 3 is a print request service for requesting the execution of the printing service, which prints onto the printing medium using the PTR printing unit 610 of the printing apparatus 601 . If the third advertising packet does not indicate a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 133 . On the other hand, if the third advertising packet does indicate a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, the process moves to S 136 .
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1, corresponding to the printing service, is “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 . If the central connection flag is “communication unable”, the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 141 . In other words, if the central connection flag is not “communication unable”, the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 137 . In S 137 , the PTR control unit A 655 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1, corresponding to the printing service, to “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 . The process then moves to S 133 .
the PTR control unit A 655 sets the role of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 to the central role.
the printing apparatus 601 operates as the second central apparatus in BLE as a result of the PTR control unit A 655 setting the role of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 to the central role.
the PTR control unit A 655 makes a connection request to the peripheral apparatus that transmitted the third advertising packet (the image capturing apparatus 701 , which is the second peripheral apparatus).
the PTR control unit A 655 establishes a BLE communication link with the image capturing apparatus 701 , which is the second peripheral apparatus, and furthermore carries out BLE communication with the second peripheral apparatus in S 144 . Note that the BLE communication in S 144 is carried out intermittently at communication intervals set with the second peripheral apparatus.
the PTR control unit A 655 broadcasts a fourth advertising packet from the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the broadcasting of the fourth advertising packet in S 145 is carried out intermittently at predetermined time periods (an advertising interval) set by the PTR control unit A 655 .
the broadcast advertising packet according to the present embodiment refers to the fourth advertising packet, which includes a UUID 4 specifying a Service of the printing apparatus 601 in the data of the advertising packet, as illustrated in FIG. 10A .
Various services can be considered as the Service specified by the UUID, and an example thereof will be given below.
10A is an example of an advertising packet that cannot make a connection request (indicating that a connection cannot be made to an external apparatus), and the UUID 4 indicates a state of Service 4.
Service 4 is a print busy status service, indicating that the PTR printing unit 610 of the printing apparatus 601 is in a busy state.
PDU Protocol Data Unit
the broadcast advertising packet transmitted from the printing apparatus 601 is scanned by the first central apparatus serving as a central role apparatus (i.e., the communication apparatus 801 ).
the first central apparatus determines whether the UUID specifying the service, included in the advertising packet transmitted by the printing apparatus 601 , is valid in combination with the self apparatus.
the first central apparatus can determine the print busy status service, which indicates that the PTR printing unit 610 of the printing apparatus 601 is in a busy state, and thus no BLE connection request is made to the printing apparatus 601 .
the printing apparatus 601 can notify the central role apparatus of the print busy status service.
the central role apparatus can then control the self apparatus so as to be incapable of executing the printing service with the printing apparatus 601 .
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 3 is “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the second peripheral apparatus that carried out communication in S 144 .
the VALUEs of Service 3 are VALUEs corresponding to the print request service, as described above.
the values in the GATT server database of the image capturing apparatus 701 will be described later with reference to FIG. 11 . If the “central connection flag” of the second peripheral apparatus is “communication unable”, the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 150 . On the other hand, if the “central connection flag” is not “communication unable”, the process moves to S 147 .
the PTR control unit A 655 terminates the BLE communication link with the second peripheral apparatus (i.e., the image capturing apparatus 701 ).
the printing apparatus 601 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1, corresponding to the printing service, to “communication able” in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 . The process then returns to S 101 .
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether a “print request flag” of the VALUEs of Service 3 is “YES” in the GATT server database of the second peripheral apparatus that carried out communication in S 144 . If the “print request flag”, which is a print execution instruction flag of the second peripheral apparatus, is “YES”, the PTR control unit A 655 determines that there is a printing service execution instruction from the image capturing apparatus 701 , and moves to S 113 . In other words, through the above-described processing of S 113 to S 123 , the printing service is executed for the second peripheral apparatus through a handover to the faster WLAN.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines that there is no instruction to execute the printing service from the image capturing apparatus 701 , and returns to S 144 . When the process of S 102 then ends, the PTR control unit A 655 terminates this series of operations.
the second peripheral apparatus (the image capturing apparatus 701 ) connects to the first central apparatus (the communication apparatus 801 ) or the printing apparatus 601 behaving as the second central apparatus (this is also called a “connection changing process”) will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C .
the individual processes in this process are realized by the DSC control unit A 755 of the image capturing apparatus 701 loading programs stored in its internal ROM into its internal RAM and executing the programs. Additionally, the operations of this process are started in response to the DSC battery 702 being connected to the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether some of the functions of the image capturing apparatus 701 are normal. If the image capturing apparatus 701 determines that some of the functions are not normal, the process moves to S 202 . In S 202 , the transmission of the advertising packets from the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 is stopped, and the flowchart ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that some of the functions are normal, the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 203 , and in S 203 , sets the role of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 to the peripheral role. The DSC control unit A 755 operates as a BLE peripheral role apparatus by setting the role of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 to the peripheral role.
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits a second advertising packet from the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the image capturing apparatus 701 transmits the second advertising packet in S 204 at predetermined time periods (advertising intervals).
the advertising packet transmitted in S 204 is illustrated in FIG. 9B .
This packet (the second advertising packet) includes a UUID 2, which specifies a Service that can be executed by the image capturing apparatus 701 , in the data of the advertising packet.
Various services can be considered as the Service specified by the UUID, and an example thereof will be given below.
the example of the advertising packet illustrated in FIG. 9B indicates that a Service 2 can be executed using the UUID 2.
Service 2 is an image transfer service that transfers image data captured by the DSC image capturing unit 710 of the image capturing apparatus 701 , image data recorded into the flash memory inserted into the DSC memory card slot 709 , and the like.
the transmitted advertising packet is scanned by the first central apparatus (the communication apparatus 801 ), which is a central role apparatus.
the first central apparatus makes a connection request to the image capturing apparatus 701 if the UUID specifying the service, included in the advertising packet transmitted by the image capturing apparatus 701 , is valid in combination with the self apparatus.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether there is a connection request from the first central apparatus to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 . If there is no connection request from the first central apparatus, the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 230 . On the other hand, if there is a connection request from the first central apparatus, the process moves to S 206 . In S 206 , the DSC control unit A 755 establishes a BLE communication link with the first central apparatus, and in S 207 , carries out BLE communication with the first central apparatus. Note that the BLE communication in S 207 is carried out intermittently at communication intervals set with the first central apparatus.
FIG. 11B illustrates an example of a database in a GATT server storing Services and Characteristics of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 of the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the BLE communication between the image capturing apparatus 701 and the first central apparatus (the communication apparatus 801 ) is executed through reads and writes to the GATT server database illustrated in FIG. 11B .
FIG. 11B is an example of a GATT server database for a case where the image capturing apparatus 701 includes the UUID 2 specifying the image transfer service in the advertising packet.
This database stores the following two types of Services, for example.
UUIDs of multiple Characteristics corresponding to UUID 3 UUIDs of multiple Characteristics corresponding to UUID 3, and VALUEs corresponding to the UUIDs
Service 2 is the above-described image transfer service, for example.
the VALUEs of Service 2 include, for example, “image transfer capable/incapable flag”. “SSID”, “PASSWORD”. “device name”, “central connection flag”, and “WLAN status”.
Service 3 is, for example, a print request service, which will be described later.
the VALUEs of Service 3 include, for example, “print request flag”, “SSID”, “PASSWORD”, “device name”, “supported printing protocol 1”, “supported printing protocol 2”, “print status”, “central connection flag”, and “WLAN status”.
the first central apparatus makes reads and writes in a region of Service 2, corresponding to the image transfer service, in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , for example.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether there is a connection termination notification from the first central apparatus to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 209 if there is a connection termination notification from the first central apparatus, and to S 211 if there is no connection termination notification from the first central apparatus.
the DSC control unit A 755 terminates the BLE communication link with the first central apparatus, and moves to S 210 .
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 is “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the VALUEs of Service 2 are VALUEs corresponding to the image transfer service. If the “central connection flag” of the first central apparatus is “communication unable”, the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 230 . On the other hand, if the “central connection flag” is not “communication unable”, the process returns to S 201 .
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether there is a service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the service in S 211 is an image transfer service that transfers image data captured by the DSC image capturing unit 710 of the image capturing apparatus 701 , image data recorded into the flash memory inserted into the DSC memory card slot 709 , and the like. If there is no service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 230 . On the other hand, if there is a service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , the process moves to S 214 .
the image capturing apparatus 701 executes the service by making a handover to a high-speed WLAN. Specifically, in S 214 , the DSC control unit A 755 terminates the BLE communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, and moves to S 215 .
the process of terminating the BLE communication link with the apparatus in S 214 is carried out in a system that does not permit the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE, which will be described later, it should be noted that the process of S 214 need not be carried out if the system permits the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE. In the present embodiment, the system is assumed to permit the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE, and thus the image capturing apparatus 701 skips the process of S 214 .
the DSC control unit A 755 makes a handover to WLAN for the apparatus to which the service is being provided.
the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 is used to establish a WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, using an SSID, connection password information, or the like shared over the BLE communication with the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits the data to the apparatus to which the service is being provided, through the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 .
the DSC control unit A 755 terminates the WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, established in S 215 , and restores the BLE communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided in S 219 . Then, in S 220 , BLE communication is carried out with the apparatus to which the service is being provided.
the image capturing apparatus 701 permits the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE, and thus the process of S 219 is not necessary.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the service being executed has ended. If it is determined that the service being executed has not ended, the DSC control unit A 755 returns to S 220 and carries out BLE communication with the apparatus to which the service is being provided.
two types of services are present as services provided through a BLE communication link by the image capturing apparatus 701 . These are the image transfer service, for the communication apparatus 801 serving as the first central apparatus, and a printing service for the printing apparatus 601 serving as the second central apparatus, provided through the print request service.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the service for the first central apparatus is being executed. If it is determined that the service for the first central apparatus is being provided, the DSC control unit A 755 returns to S 207 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the service for the first central apparatus is not being provided, the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 244 .
This step is executed when there is no connection request from the first central apparatus in S 205 , when there is no service execution instruction from the first central apparatus in S 211 , or when the connection flag for the first central apparatus is “communication unable”.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether a print request service execution mode has been activated by the user operating the DSC operation input unit 711 . The DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 233 if the print request service execution mode has not been activated, and to S 231 if the print request service execution mode has been activated.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether it is the advertising interval of the first central apparatus. The process moves to S 234 if it is not the advertising interval of the first central apparatus, and returns to S 204 if it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus. In S 234 , the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus. If it is not an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus, the DSC control unit A 755 returns to S 230 . If in S 234 it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus, the image capturing apparatus 701 returns to S 207 .
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the print request service execution mode has timed out. The mode is determined to have timed out if, for example, the user has not made any operations for a set amount of time after the print request service execution mode was activated by the user operating the DSC operation input unit 711 . The DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 250 if it is determined that the print request service execution mode has timed out, and to S 232 if it is determined that the print request service execution mode has not timed out.
the DSC control unit A 755 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 3 to “communication able” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , illustrated in FIG. 11B .
the VALUEs of Service 3 are VALUEs corresponding to the print request service.
the DSC control unit A 755 sets the image capturing apparatus 701 to be capable of connecting to a central role apparatus with respect to the print request service.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 is “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the VALUEs of Service 2 are VALUEs corresponding to the image transfer service. If the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag for the first central apparatus, is “communication unable”, the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 241 . On the other hand, if the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag for the first central apparatus, is not “communication unable”, the process moves to S 237 . In S 237 , the DSC control unit A 755 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 to “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and then moves to S 233 .
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits the third advertising packet from the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
a process for connecting to the printing apparatus 601 which acts (or may be acting) as the second central apparatus, is started.
the image capturing apparatus 701 transmits the third advertising packet in S 241 at predetermined time periods (advertising intervals).
the transmitted advertising packet includes a UUID 3, which specifies a Service that can be executed by the image capturing apparatus 701 , in the data of the advertising packet, as illustrated in FIG. 9C .
Various services can be considered as the Service specified by the UUID, and an example thereof will be given below.
the Service 3 is a print request service that requests that the second central apparatus print image data captured by the DSC image capturing unit 710 of the image capturing apparatus 701 , image data recorded into the flash memory inserted into the DSC memory card slot 709 , and the like.
FIG. 11B illustrates an example of a GATT server storing Services and Characteristics of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 of the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the BLE communication between the image capturing apparatus 701 and the second central apparatus is executed through reads and writes to the GATT server database illustrated in FIG. 11B .
the image capturing apparatus 701 makes reads and writes in a region of Service 3, corresponding to the print request service, in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether there is a connection request from the second central apparatus to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC control unit A 755 returns to S 230 if there is no connection request from the second central apparatus, and to S 243 if there is a connection request from the second central apparatus.
the DSC control unit A 755 establishes a BLE communication link with the second central apparatus, and in S 244 , carries out BLE communication with the second central apparatus. Note that the BLE communication in S 244 is carried out intermittently at communication intervals set with the second central apparatus.
the DSC control unit A 755 broadcasts a fifth advertising packet from the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the fifth advertising packet is broadcast at predetermined time periods (advertising intervals) set by the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the transmitted broadcast advertising packet includes a UUID 5, which specifies a Service of the image capturing apparatus 701 , in the data of the advertising packet, as illustrated in FIG. 10B .
Various services can be considered as the Service specified by the UUID, and an example thereof will be given below.
10B is an example of an advertising packet that cannot make a connection request (indicating that a connection cannot be made to an external apparatus), and the UUID 5 indicates a state of Service 5.
Service 5 is an image transfer busy status service, indicating that the image capturing apparatus 701 is in a busy state.
four bits [3:0] in the 8-bit “PDU Type” of the header are set to “0010”. Note that the broadcast advertising packet transmitted by the image capturing apparatus 701 , which is a peripheral role apparatus, is scanned by the first central apparatus (the communication apparatus 801 ), which is a central role apparatus.
the UUID specifying the service, included in the advertising packet transmitted by the image capturing apparatus 701 is valid in combination with the self apparatus.
the image transfer busy status service which indicates that the image capturing apparatus 701 is in a busy state, can be determined, and thus the first central apparatus does not make a BLE connection request to the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the central apparatus can be notified that the image transfer is a service having a busy status.
the central apparatus can then control the self apparatus so as not to execute the image transfer service with the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the image capturing apparatus 701 may or may not carry out the broadcast advertising packet transmission of S 245 .
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether there is a connection termination notification from the second central apparatus to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 250 if there is a connection termination notification from the second central apparatus, and to S 247 if there is no connection termination notification from the second central apparatus.
the DSC control unit A 755 terminates the BLE communication link with the second central apparatus, and moves to S 251 .
the DSC control unit A 755 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 to “communication able” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and then returns to S 201 .
the VALUEs of Service 2 are VALUEs corresponding to the image transfer service.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the execution of the print request service has been instructed through a user operating the DSC operation input unit 711 . If the execution of the print request service has been instructed through a user operation, the process moves to S 214 to make a handover to WLAN and execute the service. On the other hand, if the execution of the print request service has not been instructed through a user operation, the process moves to S 248 . In S 248 , the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the print request service execution mode is being continued through a user operation. The process returns to S 244 if the print request service execution mode is being continued by the user. However, the process moves to S 249 if the print request service execution mode is not being continued by the user.
the DSC control unit A 755 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 3, corresponding to the print request service, to “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 . The process then returns to S 244 . If the transmission of the advertising packet is then stopped in S 202 , the DSC control unit A 755 ends the series of operations involved in this process.
this process is realized by the OTH control unit A 855 of the communication apparatus 801 loading programs stored in its internal ROM into its internal RAM and executing the programs. Additionally, the operations of this process are started in response to the OTH battery 802 being connected to the communication apparatus 801 .
the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether some of the functions of the communication apparatus 801 are normal. If the OTH control unit A 855 determines that some of the functions are not normal, the process moves to S 302 . In S 302 , the scanning of the advertising packets is stopped, and the flowchart ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that some of the functions are normal, the process moves to S 303 . In S 303 , the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 sets the role to the central role. The OTH control unit A 855 operates as a BLE central role apparatus by setting the role of the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 to the central role.
the OTH control unit A 855 scans the advertising packets from other peripheral role apparatuses. In S 305 , the OTH control unit A 855 returns to S 304 if there are no advertising packets from other peripheral role apparatuses. On the other hand, if there is an advertising packet from another peripheral role apparatus, the OTH control unit A 855 moves to S 306 .
the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether the advertising packet from the other peripheral role apparatus is an advertising packet indicating that a connection is possible. The process returns to S 304 if the advertising packet from the other peripheral role apparatus is not an advertising packet indicating that a connection is possible. On the other hand, the process moves to S 307 if the advertising packet from the other peripheral role apparatus is an advertising packet indicating that a connection is possible.
the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether there is data, in the advertising packet, matching the UUID 1, which indicates that Service 1 (a printing service that prints on a printing medium) can be executed. It is determined whether the UUID specifying the service, included in the advertising packet transmitted by the peripheral role apparatus, is valid in combination with the self apparatus.
An advertising packet determined to be valid includes the UUID 1, which specifies a printing service (Service) that can be executed by the printing apparatus 601 serving as the first peripheral apparatus. If there is no data matching the UUID 1 in the data of the advertising packet, the OTH control unit A 855 moves to S 330 . If there is data matching the UUID 1 in the data of the advertising packet, the process moves to S 308 .
the OTH control unit A 855 makes a connection request to the peripheral role apparatus that transmitted the first advertising packet.
the OTH control unit A 855 establishes a BLE communication link with the printing apparatus 601 serving as the first peripheral apparatus, and carries out BLE communication with the first peripheral apparatus in S 310 .
the BLE communication in S 310 is carried out intermittently at communication intervals set with the first peripheral role apparatus.
the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1 is “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the first peripheral apparatus. Note that the VALUEs of Service 1 are VALUEs corresponding to the printing service. If the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag of the printing apparatus 601 serving as the first peripheral apparatus, is “communication unable”, the OTH control unit A 855 moves to S 313 . On the other hand, if the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag of the printing apparatus 601 serving as the first peripheral apparatus, is not “communication unable”, the OTH control unit A 855 moves to S 312 . In S 313 , the OTH control unit A 855 terminates the BLE communication link with the printing apparatus 601 serving as the first peripheral apparatus, and moves to S 314 .
the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether the execution of the printing service has been instructed by the user operating the OTH operation input unit 811 . If the execution of the printing service has been instructed through a user operation, the process moves to S 315 . On the other hand, if the execution of the printing service has not been instructed through a user operation, the process moves to S 314 . In S 314 , the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether a BLE communication link is currently established with the second peripheral apparatus. If it is determined that a BLE communication link is currently established with the second peripheral apparatus, the process moves to S 340 , whereas if it is determined that a BLE communication link is not currently established with the second peripheral apparatus, the process returns to S 301 .
the OTH control unit A 855 terminates the BLE communication link with the apparatus with which the BLE communication link is currently established, and moves to S 316 .
the process of terminating the BLE communication link with the apparatus in S 315 is carried out when the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE is not permitted, it should be noted that the process of S 315 need not be carried out when the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE is permitted. Note that in the present embodiment, the system is assumed to permit the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE, and thus the communication apparatus 801 skips the process of S 315 .
the OTH control unit A 855 carries out a WLAN handover with the apparatus to which the service is being provided. Specifically, the OTH wireless communication unit B 822 is used to establish a WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, using an SSID, connection password information, or the like shared over the BLE communication with the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 . In S 317 , the OTH control unit A 855 transmits the data to the first peripheral apparatus through the OTH wireless communication unit B 822 .
the OTH control unit A 855 terminates the WLAN communication link with the first peripheral apparatus established in S 316 , and in S 319 , restores the BLE communication link with the apparatus terminated in S 315 and returns to S 310 .
the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether a BLE communication link is currently established with the first peripheral apparatus. If it is determined that a BLE communication link is currently established with the first peripheral apparatus, the process moves to S 310 , whereas if it is determined that a BLE communication link is not currently established with the first peripheral apparatus, the process moves to S 331 . In S 331 , the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether a BLE communication link is currently established with the second peripheral apparatus.
the OTH control unit A 855 moves the process to S 340 if it is determined in S 331 that a BLE communication link is currently established with the second peripheral apparatus, and moves the process to S 332 if it is determined that a BLE communication link is not currently established with the second peripheral apparatus.
the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether the UUID specifying the service, included in the advertising packet transmitted by the peripheral apparatus, is valid in combination with the self apparatus.
the advertising packet determined to be valid by the communication apparatus 801 is the above-described second advertising packet, and includes the UUID 2 specifying the image transfer service.
the OTH control unit A 855 returns to S 304 if there is no data matching the UUID 2 in the data of the advertising packet, and moves to S 338 if there is data matching the UUID 2 in the data of the advertising packet.
the OTH control unit A 855 makes a connection request to the second peripheral apparatus that transmitted the second advertising packet (i.e., the image capturing apparatus 701 ). Then, in S 339 , a BLE communication link is established with the image capturing apparatus 701 serving as the second peripheral apparatus, and in S 340 , BLE communication is carried out with the second peripheral apparatus. Note that the BLE communication in S 340 is carried out intermittently at communication intervals set with the second peripheral apparatus.
the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 is “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the second peripheral apparatus that carried out communication in S 340 . If the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag of the second peripheral apparatus, is “communication unable”, the OTH control unit A 855 moves to S 343 . On the other hand, if the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag for the second peripheral apparatus, is not “communication unable”, the process moves to S 342 . In S 343 , the OTH control unit A 855 terminates the BLE communication link with the printing apparatus 601 serving as the first peripheral apparatus, and moves to S 344 .
the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether the execution of the image transfer service has been instructed by the user operating the OTH operation input unit 811 . If in S 342 the execution of the image transfer service has been instructed through a user operation, the process moves to S 345 , whereas if the execution of the image transfer service has not been instructed through a user operation, the process moves to S 344 . In S 344 , the OTH control unit A 855 determines whether a BLE communication link is currently established with the first peripheral apparatus. If it is determined that a BLE communication link is currently established with the first peripheral apparatus, the process moves to S 310 , whereas if it is determined that a BLE communication link is not currently established with the first peripheral apparatus, the process returns to S 301 .
the OTH control unit A 855 terminates the BLE communication link with the apparatus with which the BLE communication link is currently established, and moves to S 346 .
the process of terminating the BLE communication link with the apparatus in S 345 is carried out when the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE is not permitted, it should be noted that the process of S 345 need not be carried out when the system permits the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE. As described above, in the present embodiment, the system is assumed to permit the simultaneous operation of WLAN and BLE, and thus the communication apparatus 801 skips the process of S 345 .
the OTH control unit A 855 carries out a WLAN handover with the apparatus to which the service is being provided.
the OTH wireless communication unit B 822 is used to establish a WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, using an SSID, connection password information, or the like shared over the BLE communication with the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 .
the OTH control unit A 855 receives the data from the second peripheral apparatus through the OTH wireless communication unit B 822 .
the OTH control unit A 855 terminates the WLAN communication link with the second peripheral apparatus established in S 346 , restores the BLE communication link again in S 349 , and returns to S 340 .
the communication apparatus 801 can skip the process of S 349 in the present embodiment.
the OTH control unit A 855 executes the process of S 302 , the series of operations ends.
FIGS. 7A-1 to 7B-3 a sequence through which the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 establish a wireless communication connection, when the printing apparatus 601 , the image capturing apparatus 701 , and the communication apparatus 801 carry out the connection changing process illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 6C , will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A-1 to 7B-3 .
an example of the arrangements and connection circumstances of the printing apparatus 601 , the image capturing apparatus 701 , and the communication apparatus 801 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B . Additionally, a typical BLE communication sequence will be omitted from the following descriptions of the sequence.
the communication apparatus 801 is operating as a central role apparatus, and the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 are operating as peripheral role apparatuses. Additionally, the sequence is started from a state where BLE connections are established between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 , and between the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 . As illustrated in FIG. 12A , these three apparatuses are within a BLE communication range at the start of the sequence.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET (R/W Characteristic) to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET (Response).
the PTR control unit A 655 scans the advertising packet with a GET_ADV_IND command using the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 returns a result of the scan to the PTR control unit A 655 as a RESPONSE.
the PTR control unit A 655 acquires the values of the advertising packet, confirms the content, and determines whether the service can be used. Specifically, it is confirmed whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 3 corresponding to the print request service is not included in the advertising packet. Thereafter the PTR control unit A 655 scans the advertising packet during the communication interval (like the central role apparatus), and waits for an advertising packet, including the UUID corresponding to a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, to be received. On the other hand, the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the DSC control unit A 755 enters the print request service execution mode in response to a user operation.
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits a DISCONNECT_801_NOTIFY command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 which corresponds to the image transfer service, is set to “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the PTR control unit A 655 acquires and confirms the values in the advertising packet. Specifically, it is confirmed whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 3 corresponding to the print request service of the image capturing apparatus 701 is not included in the advertising packet. In other words, it is determined whether the service can be used.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DISCONNECT_701_NOTIFY command to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 then confirms that the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2, which corresponds to the image transfer service, is “communication unable” in the received DATA_PACKET.
the OTH control unit A 855 sends a TERMINATE_701_LINK command to the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , which terminates the BLE communication link between the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 and the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 . Then, the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 notifies the OTH control unit A 855 of the termination of the BLE communication link with a DISCONNECT_701 command. Furthermore, the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 notifies the DSC control unit A 755 of the termination of the BLE communication link with a DISCONNECT_801 command.
the DSC control unit A 755 issues an advertisement start event, including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the print request service, in S 455 .
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits a SET_ADV_IND_3 command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits an advertising packet ADV_IND_3, including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the print request service, to the printing apparatus 601 . Thereafter, the advertisement to the central role apparatus is repeated in accordance with the advertising interval.
the PTR control unit A 655 scans the advertising packet with a GET_ADV_IND command using the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and acquires the result of the scan as a RESPONSE from the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR control unit A 655 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms that the UUID 3 corresponding to the print request service of the image capturing apparatus 701 is included in that advertising packet. When it is confirmed that the UUID 3 is included, it is determined that the service can be used.
the PTR control unit A 655 transmits the DISCONNECT_801_NOTIFY command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1 which corresponds to the printing service, is set to “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the “central connection flag”, which is a connection flag for the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 is communicated to the communication apparatus 801 at the timing of the next BLE communication between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DISCONNECT_601_NOTIFY command to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 then confirms that the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1, which corresponds to the image transfer service, is “communication unable” in the received DATA_PACKET.
the OTH control unit A 855 sends a TERMINATE_601_LINK command to the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , which terminates the BLE communication link between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 . Then, the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 notifies the OTH control unit A 855 of the termination of the BLE communication link with a DISCONNECT_601 command. The PTR wireless communication unit A 612 notifies the PTR control unit A 655 of the termination of the BLE communication link with the DISCONNECT_801 command.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 of the image capturing apparatus 701 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the printing apparatus 601 operates as a central role apparatus and the image capturing apparatus 701 operates as a peripheral apparatus, and the apparatuses carry out BLE communication according to the communication interval.
the printing apparatus 601 When the sequence up to SEQ 405 ends, the printing apparatus 601 has a currently-established BLE communication link with the image capturing apparatus 701 , as illustrated in FIG. 12B (the three apparatuses being present in the BLE communication range has not changed from FIG. 12A ). This is a state in which the communication apparatus 801 has terminated the BLE communication links with the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the DSC control unit A 755 accepts an instruction to execute the print request service through a user operation in S 459 .
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits an EXE_PRINT_NOTIFY command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the “print request flag” of the VALUEs of Service 3 which corresponds to the print request service, is set to “YES” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the “print request flag”, which is a flag for instructing the printing service to be executed, is communicated to the printing apparatus 601 at the timing of the next BLE communication between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the printing apparatus 601 which has terminated the BLE link with the communication apparatus 801 , may transmit a broadcast advertising packet ADV_NONCONN_IND_4, including the UUID 4 of Service 4, indicating that the printing service is in a busy state.
the image capturing apparatus 701 which has terminated the BLE link with the communication apparatus 801 , may transmit a broadcast advertising packet ADV_NONCONN_IND_5, including the above-described UUID 5 of Service 5.
these broadcast advertising packets are advertising packets indicating that a connection request cannot be made, and thus the central role apparatus cannot make a connection request. Accordingly, when the broadcast advertising packets are to be transmitted, the printing apparatus 601 or the image capturing apparatus 701 transmits the broadcast advertising packets in accordance with the advertising interval.
the OTH control unit A 855 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 .
the result of the scan is returned as a RESPONSE to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 acquires the values of the advertising packet in response to the command. Then, it is confirmed whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 1 corresponding to the printing service of the printing apparatus 601 , the UUID 2 corresponding to the image transfer service of the image capturing apparatus 701 , or the like is not included in the advertising packet.
the communication apparatus 801 scans the advertising packets in accordance with a scanning interval, and waits for an advertising packet, including the UUID corresponding to a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, to be received.
the communication apparatus 801 can determine that the printing apparatus 601 or the image capturing apparatus 701 is in a busy state. Accordingly, the self apparatus can be controlled so as not to make a connection request to the printing apparatus 601 or the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 confirms that the “print request flag” of the VALUEs of Service 3 is “YES” in the DATA_PACKET received in the sequence of SEQ 406 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the EXE_PRINT_NOTIFY command, for executing the print, to the PTR control unit A 655 .
the PTR control unit A 655 turns the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 on by issuing a main system power on event, and turns on (starts up) the PTR control unit B 605 , which is the main system.
the PTR control unit B 605 issues a WLAN startup event and turns the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 on, the establishment of a WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the printing service is being provided is started.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the “WLAN status” of the VALUEs of Service 3 which corresponds to the print request service, is set to “START_WLAN” (WLAN start).
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits a START_WLAN_HANDOVER command to the DSC control unit A 755 . Upon doing so, the DSC control unit A 755 confirms that the “WLAN status” in the VALUEs of Service 3 is “START_WLAN” (WLAN start).
the DSC control unit A 755 issues the WLAN startup event, turns the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 on, and starts the establishment of a WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the print request service is being provided, in S 465 .
the WLAN communication link is established between the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 and the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 , data can be exchanged over the WLAN.
the image capturing apparatus 701 transmits print target image data through the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 , and the printing apparatus 601 receives that data through the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 .
the DSC control unit A 755 issues a WLAN end event.
the WLAN communication link between the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 and the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 is terminated, and the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 is turned off.
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits a DISCONNECT_WLAN command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the “WLAN status” of the VALUEs of Service 3 is set to “DISCONNECT_WLAN” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 of the printing apparatus 601 transmits the DISCONNECT_WLAN command to the PTR control unit A 655 .
the PTR control unit A 655 confirms that the “WLAN status” of the VALUEs of Service 3, which corresponds to the print request service, is “DISCONNECT_WLAN” (WLAN end) in the received DATA_PACKET.
the PTR control unit B 605 issues a WLAN end event and turns the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 off.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto. If, in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , the “print status” of the VALUEs of Service 3, which corresponds to the print request service, indicates that the printing apparatus 601 is printing, the status is set to “printing”. If the printing has ended, the “print status” is set to “printing complete”.
the DSC control unit A 755 ends the print request service execution mode in response to a user operation in S 470 . Then, in S 471 , the DSC control unit A 755 transmits the DISCONNECT_601_NOTIFY command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 . In response to the command in S 471 , the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 3, which corresponds to the image transfer service, is set to “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the DISCONNECT_701_NOTIFY command to the PTR control unit A 655 .
the PTR control unit A 655 then confirms that the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 3, which corresponds to the print request service, is “communication unable” in the received DATA_PACKET.
the PTR control unit A 655 transmits the TERMINATE_701_LINK command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , which terminates the BLE communication link between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 notifies the PTR control unit A 655 of the termination of the BLE communication link with the DISCONNECT_701 command.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 notifies the DSC control unit A 755 of the termination of the BLE communication link with a DISCONNECT_601 command.
the PTR control unit A 655 turns the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 off by issuing a main system power off event, and turns off the PTR control unit B 605 , which is the main system.
the PTR control unit A 655 issues an advertisement restoration event, including the UUID 1 of Service 1 corresponding to the printing service.
the PTR control unit A 655 transmits a SET_ADV_IND_1 command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits an advertising packet ADV_IND_1, including the UUID 1 of Service 1 corresponding to the printing service, and carries out advertisements to the central role apparatus thereafter in accordance with the advertising interval.
the DSC control unit A 755 issues an advertisement start event including the UUID 2 of Service 2 corresponding to the image transfer service.
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits a SET_ADV_IND_2 command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits an advertising packet ADV_IND_2 including the UUID 2 of Service 2 corresponding to the image transfer service. Thereafter, the advertisement to the central role apparatus is carried out in accordance with the advertising interval.
the PTR control unit A 655 acquires the values of the received advertising packet in S 477 . Then, it is confirmed whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 3 corresponding to the print request service of the image capturing apparatus 701 is not included in the advertising packet. In S 478 , it is confirmed that the advertising packet does not include the UUID 3 corresponding to the print request service of the image capturing apparatus 701 , as in S 477 .
the printing apparatus 601 scans the advertising packets during the advertising interval, and waits for an advertising packet, including the UUID corresponding to a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, to be received.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_1, including the UUID 1 of Service 1 corresponding to the printing service, in accordance with the advertising interval, in S 473 and S 474 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_2, including the UUID 2 of Service 2 corresponding to the image transfer service, in accordance with the advertising interval.
the OTH control unit A 855 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms that the UUID 1 corresponding to the printing service of the printing apparatus 601 is included in the advertising packet.
the OTH control unit A 855 sends a START_601_CONNECT command to the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , and starts the establishment of a BLE communication link between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 notifies the OTH control unit A 855 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with the COMP_601_CONNECT command.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 notifies the PTR control unit A 655 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with a COMP_801_CONNECT command. Then, the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto. Thereafter, the BLE communication link is continued in accordance with the communication interval, with the communication apparatus 801 serving as the central role apparatus and the printing apparatus 601 serving as a peripheral role apparatus.
the OTH control unit A 855 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 . Then, the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms that the UUID 2 corresponding to the image transfer service of the image capturing apparatus 701 is included in the advertising packet. When it is confirmed that the UUID 2 is included, it is determined that the service can be used.
the OTH control unit A 855 sends the START_701_CONNECT command to the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , and establishes a BLE communication link between the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 then notifies the OTH control unit A 855 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with the COMP_701_CONNECT command.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 notifies the DSC control unit A 755 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with a COMP_801_CONNECT command.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the BLE communication is carried out in accordance with the communication interval, with the communication apparatus 801 operating as the central role apparatus and the image capturing apparatus 701 operating as a peripheral role apparatus.
the PTR control unit A 655 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 3 corresponding to the print request service of the image capturing apparatus 701 is not included in the advertising packet. Thereafter, the printing apparatus 601 scans the advertising packets during the interval of BLE communication, and waits for an advertising packet, including the UUID corresponding to a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, to be received.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the PTR control unit A 655 scans the advertising packet in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the PTR control unit A 655 .
the PTR control unit A 655 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 3 corresponding to the print request service of the image capturing apparatus 701 is not included in the advertising packet.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the sequence ends thereafter.
BLE communication is established between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 , and between the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 , and the sequence can therefore return to the sequence indicated in FIG. 7A-1 .
the printing apparatus 601 can behave as a central role apparatus in between times when connection is in effect (e.g., when the printing service is not being executed).
BLE communication can be established between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 , which were operating as peripheral apparatuses, and thus the desired service can be executed.
an apparatus in communication in which apparatuses having different roles are connected, an apparatus can easily connect to another apparatus operating in the same role as the self apparatus.
the first embodiment describes an example of operations for establishing BLE communication between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 , which both play the role of peripheral, while the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 are carrying out BLE communication with the central role apparatus.
the second embodiment will describe an example of operations in which BLE communication is established between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 , which play the role of peripheral, from a state in which the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 are transmitting advertising packets and BLE communication is not yet established between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the examples of the functional configurations of the apparatuses according to the present embodiment are the same, but parts of the sequences differ. As such, in the following, identical configurations and identical steps will be assigned the same reference signs and redundant descriptions will be skipped, with attention focused on the differences.
FIGS. 13A-1 to 13B-3 A sequence through which a wireless communication connection is established between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A-1 to 13B-3 .
the communication apparatus 801 At the start of the sequence, the communication apparatus 801 is not present; the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 are operating as peripheral role apparatuses between which BLE communication is not established, and are transmitting advertising packets. Note that at the start, the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 are present in the BLE communication range, but the communication apparatus 801 is not present in the BLE communication range, as illustrated in FIG. 12C .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_1, including the UUID 1 of Service 1 corresponding to the printing service, in accordance with the advertising interval. Additionally, the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_2, including the UUID 2 of Service 2 corresponding to the image transfer service, in accordance with the advertising interval. In S 1351 , the PTR control unit A 655 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 3 corresponding to the print request service of the image capturing apparatus 701 is not included in the advertising packet. In other words, it is determined that the print request service cannot be used.
the printing apparatus 601 scans the advertising packets during the advertising interval, and waits for an advertising packet, including the UUID corresponding to a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, to be received.
the DSC control unit A 755 enters the print request service execution mode in response to a user operation.
the DSC control unit A 755 issues an advertisement start event, including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the print request service, in S 1355 .
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits the SET_ADV_IND_3 command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_3 including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the print request service. Thereafter, the advertisement to the central role apparatus is carried out in accordance with the advertising interval.
the PTR control unit A 655 scans the advertising packet with a GET_ADV_IND command using the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 returns a result of the scan to the PTR control unit A 655 as a RESPONSE.
the PTR control unit A 655 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms that the UUID 3 corresponding to the print request service of the image capturing apparatus 701 is included in that advertising packet. As a result, the PTR control unit A 655 can determine that the print request service can be used.
the PTR control unit A 655 transmits the START_701_CONNECT command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
a BLE communication link is then established between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 notifies the PTR control unit A 655 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with a COMP_701_CONNECT command.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 notifies the DSC control unit A 755 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with a COMP_601_CONNECT command.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 of the image capturing apparatus 701 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto. Thereafter, BLE communication is carried out, with the printing apparatus 601 serving as a BLE central role apparatus and the image capturing apparatus 701 serving as a BLE peripheral role apparatus, in accordance with the communication interval.
the printing apparatus 601 has a currently-established BLE communication link with the image capturing apparatus 701 , as illustrated in FIG. 12D (these apparatuses being present in the BLE communication range has not changed from FIG. 12C ).
the printing apparatus 601 behaves as a central role apparatus (scanning the advertising packets) in between times carrying out the process for operating as a peripheral role.
BLE communication can be established between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 , which were operating as peripheral apparatuses, and thus the desired service can be executed.
the first and second embodiments describe examples in which the printing apparatus 601 behaves as a central role apparatus in order to establish BLE communication between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 , which were operating as peripheral apparatuses.
the third embodiment will describe an example in which the image capturing apparatus 701 behaves as a central role apparatus in order to establish BLE communication between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 , which were operating as peripheral apparatuses.
the examples of the functional configurations of the apparatuses according to the present embodiment are the same as in the above-described embodiments, but the series of operations involved in the connection changing process carried out by the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 , and parts of the sequences, differ. As such, identical configurations and identical steps will be assigned the same reference signs and redundant descriptions will be skipped, with attention focused on the differences.
FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate a series of operations involved in a process for changing a wireless connection (a connection changing process) carried out by the printing apparatus 601 according to the present embodiment.
the individual processes in this process are realized by the PTR control unit A 655 of the printing apparatus 601 loading programs stored in its internal ROM into its internal RAM and executing the programs.
the operations in this process are started upon an AC voltage being input to the PTR AC/DC conversion circuit 602 of the printing apparatus 601 from the exterior.
the communication apparatus 801 operates as a central role apparatus (the first central apparatus), and the printing apparatus 601 operates as a peripheral role apparatus (the second peripheral apparatus).
the image capturing apparatus 701 changes its part (role) from a peripheral role to a central role, and operates as the first peripheral apparatus and the second central apparatus in those respective situations.
the PTR control unit A 655 transmits the first advertising packet by carrying out the processes of S 101 to S 104 , in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
the advertising packet is as illustrated in FIG. 9A
Service 1 is a printing service for printing onto a printing medium using the PTR printing unit 610 of the printing apparatus 601 (this will also be called a “first printing service” in this embodiment).
FIG. 16A illustrates an example of the GATT server database storing Services and Characteristics of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 of the printing apparatus 601 according to the present embodiment.
the BLE communication between the printing apparatus 601 and the first central apparatus is executed by reads and writes made to the database in the GATT server, illustrated in FIG. 16A .
FIG. 16A illustrates an example of the database in a GATT server for a case where the printing apparatus 601 includes the UUID 1 specifying the printing service in the advertising packet.
at least two types of services are stored, indicated below.
Service 1 includes UUIDs of multiple Characteristics corresponding to UUID 1, and VALUEs corresponding to the UUIDs.
Service 3 includes UUIDs of multiple Characteristics corresponding to UUID 3, and VALUEs corresponding to the UUIDs.
the Service 3 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a second printing service, and the Characteristic VALUEs of Service 3 have the same items as those of Service 1, for example.
the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 of the printing apparatus 601 may be configured to store UUIDs of multiple Characteristics corresponding to other UUIDs, and VALUEs corresponding to each of those UUIDs, as well.
the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 of the printing apparatus 601 may also store the following two types of Services, for example, in order to permit BLE link connections with multiple apparatuses and execute the printing service.
Service 6 includes UUIDs of multiple Characteristics corresponding to a UUID 6, and VALUEs corresponding to the UUIDs.
the Service 6 is, for example, a third printing service, and the Characteristic VALUEs of Service 6 have the same items as Service 1.
Service 7 includes UUIDs of multiple Characteristics corresponding to a UUID 7, and VALUEs corresponding to the UUIDs.
the Service 7 is, for example, a fourth printing service, and has the same Characteristic VALUEs as Service 1.
the present embodiment will describe an example in which the partner apparatuses to which the printing apparatus 601 provides the printing service are two apparatuses, namely the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 . Accordingly, the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 of the printing apparatus 601 uses only the regions of Service 1 and Service 3.
the Characteristic VALUE will be denoted simple as “VALUE” in the following descriptions.
the PTR control unit A 655 executes the processes of S 105 to S 109 , in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 is “communication unable”.
the Characteristic VALUE of Service 1 is a Characteristic VALUE corresponding to the first printing service. If the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag for the first central apparatus, is “communication unable”, the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 1400 . On the other hand, if the “central connection flag” is not “communication unable”, the PTR control unit A 655 returns to S 101 .
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether there is a service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the service in S 111 is the first printing service, in which the PTR printing unit 610 of the printing apparatus 601 is used to print onto the printing medium, for example. If there is no service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 1400 . On the other hand, if there is a service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 113 .
the PTR control unit A 655 executes the processes of S 113 to S 121 , in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
the PTR control unit B 605 determines whether the printing service has ended. If it is determined that the printing service has not ended, the PTR control unit B 605 returns to S 120 and continues the BLE communication with the apparatus to which the service is being provided. Note that there are two types of services executed using a BLE communication link with the printing apparatus 601 , namely the first printing service which is carried out with the communication apparatus 801 serving as the first central apparatus, and the second printing service carried out with the image capturing apparatus 701 serving as the second central apparatus.
the PTR control unit B 605 moves to S 122 .
the PTR control unit A 655 turns the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 off, and turns the PTR control unit B 605 , which is the main system, off as well.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether the service for the first central apparatus is being executed. If it is determined that the service for the first central apparatus is being executed, the PTR control unit A 655 returns to S 107 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the service for the first central apparatus is not being executed, the process moves to S 144 .
S 1400 If in S 1400 it is determined that a BLE communication link is already established with the second central apparatus (i.e., the image capturing apparatus 701 ), the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 144 . On the other hand, if it is determined that a BLE communication link is not already established with the second central apparatus, the process moves to S 1401 . In S 401 , the PTR control unit A 655 transmits the third advertising packet from the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 . Note that the transmission of the third advertising packet in S 1401 is carried out in the above-described advertising interval until there is a connection request from the central role apparatus.
the advertising packet transmitted in S 1401 is the third advertising packet, illustrated in FIG.
Service 3 is the second printing service that prints onto the printing medium using the PTR printing unit 610 of the printing apparatus 601 .
the second printing service is different from the first printing service in terms of the central apparatus that sends the data to be printed to the printing apparatus 601 .
the first printing service is provided to the first central apparatus, and the second printing service is provided to the second central apparatus.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether there is a connection request from the second central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the process moves to S 1403 if there is no connection request from the second central apparatus, and moves to S 1405 if there is a connection request from the second central apparatus.
S 1403 it is determined whether it is the advertising interval of the first central apparatus.
the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 1404 if it is not the advertising interval of the first central apparatus, and returns to S 104 if it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus.
S 1404 it is determined whether it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus.
the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 144 . On the other hand, if it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus, the PTR control unit A 655 returns to S 107 .
the PTR control unit A 655 establishes a BLE communication link with the second central apparatus.
the PTR control unit A 655 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1 to “communication unable” in the GAIT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and then moves to S 1404 .
the PTR control unit A 655 carries out BLE communication with the second central apparatus. Note that the BLE communication in S 144 is carried out intermittently at communication intervals set with the second peripheral apparatus. In S 145 , the PTR control unit A 655 broadcasts the fourth advertising packet from the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , in the same manner as in the above-described embodiments.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether there is a connection termination notification from the second central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 . If there is a connection termination notification from the second central apparatus, the process moves to S 150 . On the other hand, if there is no connection termination notification from the second central apparatus, the process moves to S 1407 . In S 150 , the PTR control unit A 655 terminates the BLE communication link with the second central apparatus. In S 151 , the printing apparatus 601 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1, corresponding to the first printing service, to “communication able” in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 . The process then returns to S 101 .
the PTR control unit A 655 determines whether there is a service execution instruction from the second central apparatus to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the service in this step is the second printing service that prints onto the printing medium using the PTR printing unit 610 of the printing apparatus 601 . If there is a service execution instruction from the second central apparatus, the PTR control unit A 655 moves to S 113 . In other words, through the above-described processing of S 113 to S 123 , the printing service is executed for the second central apparatus through a handover to the faster WLAN.
the PTR control unit A 655 determines that there is no instruction to execute the printing service from the image capturing apparatus 701 , and returns to S 144 . When the process of S 102 then ends, the PTR control unit A 655 terminates this series of operations.
FIGS. 15A to 15C a series of operations involved in a process in which the second peripheral apparatus (the image capturing apparatus 701 ) connects to the first central apparatus (the communication apparatus 801 ) or the printing apparatus 601 behaving as the first peripheral apparatus (this is also called a “connection changing process”) will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15C .
the individual processes in this process are realized by the DSC control unit A 755 of the image capturing apparatus 701 loading programs stored in its internal ROM into its internal RAM and executing the programs. Additionally, the operations of this process are started in response to the DSC battery 702 being connected to the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the DSC control unit A 755 executes the processes of S 201 to S 211 , in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, if in S 205 there is no connection request from the first central apparatus, and if in S 210 the “central connection flag”, which is the connection flag with the first central apparatus, is “communication unable”, the process moves to S 1501 . Additionally, if in S 211 there is a service execution instruction from the first central apparatus to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , the process moves to S 214 .
the image capturing apparatus 701 executes the service by making a handover to a high-speed WLAN.
the DSC control unit A 755 carries out the processes of S 214 to S 220 , and carries out BLE communication with the apparatus to which the service is being provided, in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the service being provided has ended. If it is determined that the service being provided has not ended, the DSC control unit A 755 returns to S 220 and carries out BLE communication with the apparatus to which the service is being provided.
two types of services are present as services provided through a BLE communication link by the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the first is the image transfer service provided to the communication apparatus 801 , which is the first central apparatus.
the second is the second printing service provided from the printing apparatus 601 , which is the first peripheral apparatus.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the role of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 is set to the peripheral role. If it is determined that the role of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 is set to the peripheral role, the DSC control unit A 755 returns to S 207 . In all other cases, the process moves to S 1514 .
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether a print request service execution mode has been activated by the user operating the DSC operation input unit 711 .
the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 1502 if the print request service execution mode has not been activated, and to S 1504 if the print request service execution mode has been activated.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether it is the advertising interval of the first central apparatus. The process moves to S 1503 if it is not the advertising interval of the first central apparatus, and returns to S 204 if it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus. In S 1503 , the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus. If it is not an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus, the DSC control unit A 755 returns to S 1501 . If in S 1503 it is an interval of BLE communication with the first central apparatus, the DSC control unit A 755 returns to S 207 .
the DSC control unit A 755 scans the advertising packets from other peripheral apparatuses, and in S 1505 , determines whether there is an advertising packet from another peripheral apparatus. If there is no advertising packet from another peripheral apparatus, the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 1502 . On the other hand, if there is an advertising packet from another peripheral apparatus, the process moves to S 1506 . In S 1506 , the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the UUID specifying the service, included in the advertising packet transmitted by the other peripheral apparatus, is valid in combination with the self apparatus. An advertising packet determined to be valid is the third advertising packet including the UUID 3, which specifies the second printing service (Service) that can be executed by the first peripheral apparatus (the printing apparatus 601 ).
Service the second printing service
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 is “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the VALUEs of Service 2 correspond to the image transfer service ( FIG. 16B ). If the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag for the first central apparatus, is “communication unable”, the DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 1511 . On the other hand, if the “central connection flag”, which corresponds to a connection flag for the first central apparatus, is not “communication unable”, the process moves to S 1508 . In S 1508 , the DSC control unit A 755 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 to “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and then moves to S 1502 .
the DSC control unit A 755 sets the role of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 to the central role.
the image capturing apparatus 701 operates as the second central apparatus in BLE as a result of the DSC control unit A 755 setting the role of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 to the central role.
the DSC control unit A 755 makes a connection request to the peripheral apparatus that transmitted the third advertising packet (the printing apparatus 601 , which is the second peripheral apparatus).
the DSC control unit A 755 establishes a BLE communication link with the printing apparatus 601 , which is the second peripheral apparatus, and furthermore carries out BLE communication with the second peripheral apparatus in S 1514 . Note that the BLE communication in S 1514 is carried out intermittently at communication intervals set with the second peripheral apparatus.
the DSC control unit A 755 broadcasts a fifth advertising packet from the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the broadcasting of the fifth advertising packet in S 1515 is carried out intermittently at predetermined time periods (the advertising interval) set by the DSC control unit A 755 .
the broadcast advertising packet according to the present embodiment is the packet described above with reference to FIG. 10B .
the broadcast advertising packet transmitted from the image capturing apparatus 701 which is the second central role apparatus, is scanned by the first central apparatus serving as a central role apparatus (i.e., the communication apparatus 801 ).
the first central apparatus determines whether the UUID specifying the service, included in the advertising packet transmitted by the image capturing apparatus 701 , is valid in combination with the self apparatus.
the image transfer busy status service which indicates that the image capturing apparatus 701 is in a busy state, can be determined, and thus the first central apparatus does not make a BLE connection request to the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the image capturing apparatus 701 can notify the central role apparatus of the image transfer busy status service.
the central role apparatus can then control the self apparatus so as not to execute the image transfer service with the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the image capturing apparatus 701 need not transmit the broadcast advertising packet in S 1515 .
the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether a printing service execution mode is being continued through a user operation. The DSC control unit A 755 moves to S 1518 if the printing service execution mode is being continued by the user, and moves to S 1520 if the printing service execution mode is not being continued by the user. In S 1518 , the DSC control unit A 755 determines whether the printing service execution mode has timed out.
the DSC control unit A 755 determines that the mode has timed out if, for example, the user has not made any operations for a set amount of time after the printing service execution mode was activated through a user operation. The process moves to S 1520 if it is determined that the printing service execution mode has timed out, and returns to S 1514 if it is determined that the printing service execution mode has not timed out.
the DSC control unit A 755 terminates the BLE communication link with the printing apparatus 601 serving as the first peripheral apparatus, and moves to S 1521 .
the DSC control unit A 755 sets the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 to “communication able” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and then returns to S 201 . If the transmission of the advertising packet is then stopped in S 202 , the DSC control unit A 755 ends the series of operations involved in this process.
FIGS. 17A-1 to 17B-3 a sequence through which the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 establish a wireless communication connection, when the printing apparatus 601 , the image capturing apparatus 701 , and the communication apparatus 801 carry out the connection changing process illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C, 14A to 14C, and 15A to 15C , will be described with reference to FIGS. 17A-1 to 17B-3 .
the communication apparatus 801 is operating as a central role apparatus, and the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 are operating as peripheral role apparatuses.
the sequence is started from a state where BLE connections are established between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 , and between the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 . As illustrated in FIG. 12A , these three apparatuses are within a BLE communication range at the start of the sequence.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the PTR control unit A 655 sends the SET_ADV_IND_3 command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_3 including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service. Thereafter, the advertisement to the central apparatus is carried out in accordance with the advertising interval.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the DSC control unit A 755 enters the printing service execution mode in response to a user operation.
the DSC control unit A 755 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the DSC control unit A 755 .
the DSC control unit A 755 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 3 corresponding to the second printing service is not included in the advertising packet (i.e., cannot be used).
the DSC control unit A 755 scans the advertising packets during the communication interval, and waits for an advertising packet, including the UUID corresponding to a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, to be received.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_3 including the UUID 3 of the Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service.
the DSC control unit A 755 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the DSC control unit A 755 .
the DSC control unit A 755 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms that the UUID 3 corresponding to the second printing service is included in the advertising packet.
the DSC control unit A 755 sends the DISCONNECT_801_NOTIFY command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2 which corresponds to the image transfer service, is set to “communication unable” in the GATT server database of the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the “central connection flag”, which is a connection flag for the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 is communicated to the communication apparatus 801 at the timing of the next BLE communication between the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits the DISCONNECT_701_NOTIFY command to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 then confirms that the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 2, which corresponds to the image transfer service, is “communication unable” in the received DATA_PACKET.
the OTH control unit A 855 sends the TERMINATE_701_LINK command to the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , which terminates the BLE communication link between the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 notifies the OTH control unit A 855 of the termination of the BLE communication link with the DISCONNECT_701 command.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 notifies the DSC control unit A 755 of the termination of the BLE communication link with the DISCONNECT_801 command.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_3, including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service.
the DSC control unit A 755 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the DSC control unit A 755 .
the DSC control unit A 755 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms that the UUID 3 corresponding to the second printing service is included in the advertising packet.
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits the START_601_CONNECT command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and causes BLE communication to be established between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 then notifies the DSC control unit A 755 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with the COMP_601_CONNECT command.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 notifies the PTR control unit A 655 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with the COMP_701_CONNECT command.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto. Thereafter, BLE communication is carried out, with the image capturing apparatus 701 serving as a BLE central role apparatus and the printing apparatus 601 serving as a BLE peripheral role apparatus, in accordance with the communication interval.
the PTR control unit A 655 transmits the DISCONNECT_801_NOTIFY command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 in S 1760 .
the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1 which corresponds to the first printing service, is set to “communication unable” in the GAIT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the “central connection flag”, which is a connection flag for the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 is communicated to the communication apparatus 801 at the timing of the next BLE communication between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits the DISCONNECT_601_NOTIFY command to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 confirms that the “central connection flag” of the VALUEs of Service 1, which corresponds to the first printing service, is “communication unable” in the received DATA_PACKET.
the OTH control unit A 855 sends the TERMINATE_601_LINK command to the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , which terminates the BLE communication link between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 . Then, the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 notifies the OTH control unit A 855 of the termination of the BLE communication link with the DISCONNECT_601 command. The PTR wireless communication unit A 612 notifies the PTR control unit A 655 of the termination of the BLE communication link with the DISCONNECT_801 command.
the image capturing apparatus 701 has a currently-established BLE communication link with the printing apparatus 601 , as illustrated in FIG. 12B .
the resulting state is one in which the communication apparatus 801 has terminated the BLE communication links with the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 of the printing apparatus 601 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the printing apparatus 601 which has had the BLE link with the communication apparatus 801 terminated, may transmit the broadcast advertising packet ADV_NONCONN_IND_4, including the UUID 4 of Service 4, during the interval of BLE communication with the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the UUID 4 of Service 4 indicates that the printing service is in a busy state.
the image capturing apparatus 701 may transmit the broadcast advertising packet ADV_NONCONN_IND_5, including the UUID 5 of Service 5, during the interval of BLE communication with the printing apparatus 601 .
the UUID 5 of Service 5 indicates that the image capturing apparatus 701 is in a busy state.
the broadcast advertising packet is an advertising packet indicating that a connection request cannot be made, and thus the central role apparatus cannot make a connection request.
the printing apparatus 601 or the image capturing apparatus 701 transmits the broadcast advertising packets in accordance with the advertising interval.
the DSC control unit A 755 instructs the execution of the print request service in response to a user operation.
the DSC control unit A 755 sends the EXE_PRINT_NOTIFY command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the “print status” of the VALUEs of Service 3, which corresponds to the second printing service, is set to “print request” in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the OTH control unit A 855 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 .
the result of the scan is returned as a RESPONSE to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 acquires the values of the advertising packet. Then, it is confirmed whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 1 corresponding to the first printing service of the printing apparatus 601 , the UUID 2 corresponding to the image transfer service of the image capturing apparatus 701 , or the like is not included in the advertising packet.
the communication apparatus 801 scans the advertising packets in accordance with a scanning interval, and waits for an advertising packet, including the UUID corresponding to a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, to be received.
the communication apparatus 801 can determine that the printing apparatus 601 or the image capturing apparatus 701 is in a busy state. Accordingly, the self apparatus can be controlled so as not to make a connection request to the printing apparatus 601 or the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 confirms that the “print status” of the VALUEs of Service 3 is “print request” in the DATA_PACKET received in the sequence of SEQ 1705 .
the VALUEs of Service 3 are VALUEs corresponding to the second printing service.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 sends the EXE_PRINT_NOTIFY command to the PTR control unit A 655 .
the PTR control unit A 655 turns the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 on by the PTR control unit A 655 issuing a main system power on event, and turns on the PTR control unit B 605 , which is the main system.
the PTR control unit B 605 issues a WLAN startup event, turns the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 on, and starts the establishment of a WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the printing service is being provided.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits the START_WLAN_HANDOVER command to the DSC control unit A 755 .
the DSC control unit A 755 then confirms that the “WLAN status” of the VALUEs of Service 3, which corresponds to the second printing service, is “START_WLAN” in the received DATA_PACKET.
the DSC control unit A 755 issues the WLAN startup event, turns the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 on, and starts the establishment of a WLAN communication link with the apparatus to which the printing service is being provided, in S 1767 .
the WLAN communication link is established between the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 and the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 , data can be exchanged over the WLAN.
the image capturing apparatus 701 transmits print target image data through the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 , and the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 of the printing apparatus 601 receives the print target image data.
the DSC control unit A 755 issues a WLAN end event.
the WLAN communication link between the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 and the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 is terminated, and the DSC wireless communication unit B 722 is turned off.
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits the DISCONNECT_WLAN command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the “WLAN status” of the VALUEs of Service 3, which corresponds to the second printing service, is set to “DISCONNECT_WLAN” in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 sends the DISCONNECT_WLAN command to the PTR control unit A 655 .
the PTR control unit A 655 confirms that the “WLAN status” of the VALUEs of Service 3, which corresponds to the second printing service, is “DISCONNECT_WLAN” in the received DATA_PACKET.
the PTR control unit B 605 issues a WLAN end event and turns the PTR wireless communication unit B 622 off.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the “print status” of the VALUEs of Service 3, which corresponds to the second printing service, is set to “printing” in the GATT server database of the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , indicating that the printing apparatus 601 is currently printing. Once the printing has ended, the “print status” is set to “printing complete”.
the DSC control unit A 755 ends the printing service execution mode in response to a user operation in S 1771 . Then, in S 1772 , the DSC control unit A 755 sends the TERMINATE_601_LINK command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 . As a result, the BLE communication link between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 is terminated. Then, the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 notifies the DSC control unit A 755 of the termination of the BLE communication link with the DISCONNECT_601 command. Additionally, the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 notifies the PTR control unit A 655 of the termination of the BLE communication link with the DISCONNECT_701 command.
the PTR control unit A 655 turns off the PTR control unit B 605 , which is the main system, by issuing a main system power off event and turning the PTR constant voltage circuit B 604 off.
the PTR control unit A 655 issues an advertisement restoration event, including the UUID 1 of Service 1 corresponding to the first printing service.
the PTR control unit A 655 sends the SET_ADV_IND_1 command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_1 including the UUID 1 of Service 1 corresponding to the first printing service.
the advertisement to the central apparatus is carried out in accordance with the advertising interval.
the PTR control unit A 655 sends the SET_ADV_IND_3 command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_3 including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service.
the advertisement to the central apparatus is carried out in accordance with the advertising interval.
the DSC control unit A 755 issues an advertisement start event including the UUID 2 of Service 2 corresponding to the image transfer service. Then, in S 1778 , the DSC control unit A 755 transmits the SET_ADV_IND_2 command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 . The DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits an advertising packet ADV_IND_2 including the UUID 2 of Service 2 corresponding to the image transfer service. Thereafter, the advertisement to the central apparatus is carried out in accordance with the advertising interval.
the PTR control unit A 655 transmits the SET_ADV_IND_1 command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_1 including the UUID 1 of Service 1 corresponding to the first printing service.
the PTR control unit A 655 sends the SET_ADV_IND_3 command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_3 including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service.
the printing apparatus 601 transmits the advertising packet for the second printing service during the advertising interval of the first printing service, and waits for a connection request from the central apparatus.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_1, including the UUID 1 of Service 1 corresponding to the first printing service, in accordance with the advertising interval, in S 1779 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_1, including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service, in accordance with the advertising interval.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_2, including the UUID 2 of Service 2 corresponding to the image transfer service, in accordance with the advertising interval.
the OTH control unit A 855 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , and the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 acquires the values of the advertising packet, confirms that the UUID 1 corresponding to the first printing service of the printing apparatus 601 is included in the advertising packet, and confirms that that service can be used.
the OTH control unit A 855 transmits the START_601_CONNECT command to the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , and starts the establishment of a BLE communication link between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 notifies the OTH control unit A 855 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with the COMP_601_CONNECT command.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 notifies the PTR control unit A 655 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with the COMP_801_CONNECT command.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto. Thereafter, the BLE communication link is maintained, with the communication apparatus 801 serving as a BLE central role apparatus and the printing apparatus 601 serving as a BLE peripheral role apparatus, in accordance with the communication interval.
the PTR control unit A 655 transmits the SET_ADV_IND_3 command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_3 including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service.
the printing apparatus 601 transmits the advertising packet for the second printing service during the BLE communication interval, and waits for a connection request from another central apparatus.
the OTH control unit A 855 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the OTH control unit A 855 .
the OTH control unit A 855 acquires the values of the advertising packet, confirms that the UUID 2 corresponding to the image transfer service of the image capturing apparatus 701 is included in the advertising packet, and confirms that that service can be used.
the OTH control unit A 855 sends the START_701_CONNECT command to the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 , and starts the establishment of a BLE communication link between the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 notifies the OTH control unit A 855 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with the COMP_701_CONNECT command.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 notifies the DSC control unit A 755 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with a COMP_801_CONNECT command.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto. Thereafter, the BLE communication link is maintained, with the communication apparatus 801 serving as a BLE central role apparatus and the image capturing apparatus 701 serving as a BLE peripheral role apparatus, in accordance with the communication interval.
the PTR control unit A 655 transmits the SET_ADV_IND_3 command to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_3 including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service, but in the example illustrated in FIGS. 18A to 18C , there are no connection requests from other central apparatuses.
the communication apparatus 801 that has established BLE connections with the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 communicates with both of those apparatuses.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the OTH wireless communication unit A 812 transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET as a response thereto.
the communication apparatus 801 maintains the established BLE connection thereafter.
BLE communication is being carried out between the communication apparatus 801 and the printing apparatus 601 , and between the communication apparatus 801 and the image capturing apparatus 701 , which means it is possible to return to the sequence of FIG. 17A-1 .
the image capturing apparatus 701 behaves as a central role apparatus (scanning the advertising packets) in between times carrying out the process for operating as a peripheral role.
BLE communication can be established between the image capturing apparatus 701 and the printing apparatus 601 , which were operating as peripheral apparatuses, and thus the desired service can be executed.
an apparatus in communication in which apparatuses having different roles are connected, an apparatus can easily connect to another apparatus operating in the same role as the self apparatus.
the third embodiment describes a case of operations in which, when the image capturing apparatus 701 and the printing apparatus 601 , serving as peripherals, carry out BLE communication with a central role apparatus, the image capturing apparatus 701 changes its role and establishes BLE communication with the printing apparatus 601 .
the fourth embodiment will describe an example of operations in which BLE communication is established between the image capturing apparatus 701 and the printing apparatus 601 , which play the role of peripherals, from a state in which the image capturing apparatus 701 and the printing apparatus 601 are transmitting advertising packets and BLE communication is not yet established between the image capturing apparatus 701 and the printing apparatus 601 .
the functional configurations of the apparatuses according to the present embodiment are the same, but parts of the sequences differ. As such, in the following, identical configurations and identical steps will be assigned the same reference signs and redundant descriptions will be skipped, with attention focused on the differences.
FIGS. 19A-1 to 19B-3 A sequence through which the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 connect will be described with reference to FIGS. 19A-1 to 19B-3 .
the communication apparatus 801 is not present, and the operations start from a state in which the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 are transmitting advertising packets and a BLE communication link is not yet established between the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 .
the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 are present in the BLE communication range, whereas the communication apparatus 801 is not present in the BLE communication range, as illustrated in FIG. 12C .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_1, including the UUID 1 of Service 1 corresponding to the first printing service, in accordance with the advertising interval, in S 1951 .
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_1, including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service, in accordance with the advertising interval.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_2 including the UUID 2 of Service 2 corresponding to the image transfer service, in accordance with the advertising interval.
the DSC control unit A 755 enters the printing service execution mode in response to a user operation.
the advertising packets are scanned in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the DSC control unit A 755 .
the DSC control unit A 755 acquires the values of the advertising packet, and confirms whether the advertising packet can be received, or that the UUID 3 corresponding to the second printing service is not included in the advertising packet. Thereafter, the image capturing apparatus 701 scans the advertising packets during the BLE communication interval, and waits for an advertising packet, including the UUID corresponding to a service that is valid in combination with the self apparatus, to be received.
the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_1 including the UUID 3 of Service 1 corresponding to the first printing service. Additionally, in S 1956 , the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 of the printing apparatus 601 transmits the advertising packet ADV_IND_3 including the UUID 3 of Service 3 corresponding to the second printing service.
the DSC control unit A 755 scans the advertising packets in response to the GET_ADV_IND command using the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 .
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 returns the result of the scan as a RESPONSE to the DSC control unit A 755 .
the DSC control unit A 755 of the image capturing apparatus 701 acquires the values of the advertising packet, confirms that the UUID 3 corresponding to the second printing service is included in the advertising packet, and confirms that that service can be used.
the DSC control unit A 755 transmits the START_601_CONNECT command to the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 . Then, the establishment of a BLE communication link between the image capturing apparatus 701 and the printing apparatus 601 is started. Once the communication link is established, the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 notifies the DSC control unit A 755 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with a COMP_601_CONNECT command. The PTR wireless communication unit A 612 notifies the PTR control unit A 655 of the establishment of the BLE communication link with a COMP_701_CONNECT command.
the DSC wireless communication unit A 712 then transmits a DATA_PACKET to the PTR wireless communication unit A 612 , and receives a DATA_PACKET. Thereafter, the BLE communication is continued between the image capturing apparatus 701 , which operates as a central, and the printing apparatus 601 , which operates as a peripheral, in accordance with the communication interval.
the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 are still present in the BLE communication range, as in FIG. 12C , but a BLE communication link is established between the image capturing apparatus 701 and the printing apparatus 601 , as illustrated in FIG. 12D .
SEQ 1905 to SEQ 1911 is the same as the operations from SEQ 1705 to SEQ 1711 , described in the third embodiment, with the operations of the communication apparatus 801 omitted. Descriptions thereof will accordingly be omitted.
the image capturing apparatus 701 behaves as a central role apparatus (scanning the advertising packets) in between times the process of operating as a peripheral role.
BLE communication can be established between the image capturing apparatus 701 and the printing apparatus 601 , which were operating as peripheral apparatuses, and thus the desired service can be executed.
the advertising packets transmitted by the printing apparatus 601 and the image capturing apparatus 701 use advertising packets ADV_IND capable of connection requests (SCAN_REQ).
the advertising packets that can be applied in the foregoing embodiments are not limited to advertising packets capable of making connection requests.
a direct advertising packet is used, the printing apparatus 601 transmits a direct advertising packet ADV_DIRECT_IND1, including the UUID 1 indicating that the printing service (Service 1) can be executed.
the image capturing apparatus 701 meanwhile, transmits a direct advertising packet ADV_DIRECT_IND2, including the UUID 2 indicating that the image transfer service (Service 2) can be executed.
the printing apparatus 601 scans the advertising packets during the BLE communication interval or the advertising interval.
the scanning of the advertising packets need not be carried out continuously during the aforementioned intervals. For example, if the printing apparatus 601 is already printing onto the printing medium, the scanning of the advertising packets may be stopped temporarily during the interval, and the scanning of the advertising packets during the interval may then be carried out after the printing has ended.
the foregoing embodiments describe an example in which the printing apparatus 601 , the image capturing apparatus 701 , and the communication apparatus 801 communicate using BLE.
BLE which is a short-range wireless communication standard.
any wireless communication unit may be used as long as the configuration is such that when one apparatus (playing the role of peripheral or central) transmits an advertising packet (information indicating the presence of the self apparatus), the other apparatus makes a connection request in response thereto and wireless communication is established between the two apparatuses.
the peripheral role apparatus may be referred to as a “slave apparatus”
the central role apparatus may be referred to as a “master apparatus”.
any wireless communication unit may be used as long as the slave apparatus transmits an advertising packet, the master apparatus makes a connection request, and wireless communication is established between the two apparatuses.
Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s).
computer executable instructions e.g., one or more programs
a storage medium which may also be referred to more fully as a
the computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions.
the computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium.
the storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)TM), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

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US16/264,931 2016-08-10 2019-02-01 Communication apparatus for executing service, control method and storage medium therefor, and communication system Active 2038-01-04 US11172523B2 (en)

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JP2016-158125		2016-08-10
PCT/JP2017/021956 WO2018029977A1 (fr)	2016-08-10	2017-06-14	Dispositif de communication, procédé et programme de communication, et système de communication

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EP3500056A4 (fr)	2020-01-29
CN109565525A (zh)	2019-04-02
EP3500056A1 (fr)	2019-06-19
WO2018029977A1 (fr)	2018-02-15
CN109565525B (zh)	2021-09-28
EP3500056B1 (fr)	2024-12-18
JP2018026730A (ja)	2018-02-15
US20190166639A1 (en)	2019-05-30
JP6755145B2 (ja)	2020-09-16

Publication	Publication Date	Title
US11172523B2 (en)	2021-11-09	Communication apparatus for executing service, control method and storage medium therefor, and communication system
US11622037B2 (en)	2023-04-04	Communication apparatus
US10631155B2 (en)	2020-04-21	Communication apparatus
US20200187280A1 (en)	2020-06-11	Communication Device, Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Recording Medium Storing Computer-Readable Instructions For Communication Device, And Method Executed By Communication Device
US10848640B2 (en)	2020-11-24	Information processing apparatus, and control method for executing search processing
US10282147B2 (en)	2019-05-07	Image forming device and control method
US10959146B2 (en)	2021-03-23	Communication apparatus, external apparatus, control method for communication apparatus, control method for external apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
US11729336B2 (en)	2023-08-15	Information processing apparatus and control method
US10237357B2 (en)	2019-03-19	Communication apparatus, control method therefor, and recording medium
US10420159B2 (en)	2019-09-17	Communication device, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for communication device, and method executed by communication device
US10067725B2 (en)	2018-09-04	Communication apparatus and control method of the same
WO2024253025A1 (fr)	2024-12-12	Dispositif de communication, procédé de commande, et programme

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